What Many Women Don't Know About Miscarriage

Summary: Early pregnancy loss, more commonly known as miscarriage, is very common, occurring in one in every four pregnancies. It's by far the most common pregnancy complication, yet more than half of women in a recent survey believe that it's rare. What's more, many of those reported having thought, incorrectly, that they were to blame for or could have somehow prevented the loss.

For those that have experienced a miscarriage, the loss can be overwhelming — in fact, many feel that it's equivalent to the loss of a child. And those who experience a pregnancy loss often feel guilty and isolated, as if they are somehow to blame. For women and their partners, understanding that they are not alone and that early pregnancy loss is actually very common can help quell the emotional loss.

The findings of a new survey, published this month in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, showed widespread misconceptions about miscarriage. The survey involved 1,084 respondents; 45 percent were men and 55 percent were women. In all, 15 percent reported that either they or their partners experienced an early pregnancy loss. But though a high percentage of respondents had experienced pregnancy loss, 55 percent thought it was uncommon. What's more, 22 percent incorrectly thought that their own life choices had caused the pregnancy loss, and an even greater percentage of those with less education (those who did not complete college) felt they were at some fault. Respondents believed that a pregnancy loss was due to a host of inaccurate causes, including a stressful life event or longstanding stress, lifting heavy objects, having an STD, the past use of oral contraception or even getting into an argument.

"Miscarriage is often wrongly viewed as a personal failing," says Dr. Zev Williams, director of the Program for Early and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (PEARL) at the Einstein Campus of Montefiore Medical Center. "People tend to blame themselves, and as a result they don't discuss it, so they're left feeling isolated and alone."

Dr. Williams contends that unlike illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, people are taught not to talk about miscarriage. When you first find out you're expecting, your practitioner might tell you not to tell anyone during the first trimester because of the risk of early pregnancy loss — which indirectly implies that having a miscarriage is something to be ashamed of when it's not.

In reality, those who experience a pregnancy loss are not to blame. More than half of sporadic miscarriages (women who experience one to two pregnancy losses) are due to chromosomal abnormalities, which means that a genetic flaw causes the fetus to spontaneously miscarry. The other half of cases are due to abnormal hormone levels, the structure of the uterus or autoimmune disorders, for example. The bottom line is that while we women often blame ourselves, the complication is usually out of our hands.

"Women and couples should realize that they're not alone, and that they did not do something to cause this," says Dr. Williams.

What this means to you. Though most often pregnancy loss is largely not preventable, according to Dr. Williams, some simple steps can reduce your risk.

It should also be noted that the most common risk factor is advanced age: At age 35, miscarriage risk is 20 percent; by age 40 it increases to 40 percent.

Not only is pregnancy loss emotionally difficult, but too often women tend to blame themselves even though they're not to blame in the vast majority of cases. After a miscarriage, keeping the pain bottled up makes healing harder. If you've experienced a pregnancy loss, don't hesitate to talk to a professional about the emotional toll it has taken, and don't underestimate the pain that it can cause. Above all, be compassionate with yourself and know that you're not alone.